Category Archives: Foreign Language
Amour (2012)
We are big fans of Austrian director Michael Haneke here on Wonderful Cinema. We have already reviewed Funny Games (1997) and Caché (2005). Now we turn our attention to his latest - an exceptional film. Amour a.k.a. Love is a beautifully crafted piece
Amour (2012)
We are big fans of Austrian director Michael Haneke here on Wonderful Cinema. We have already reviewed Funny Games (1997) and Caché (2005). Now we turn our attention to his latest - an exceptional film. Amour a.k.a. Love is a beautifully crafted piece
La Dolce Vita (1960)
One of the wonderful things about having a passion for films is that there is always another gem that you never got around to seeing. Over 50 years after it was made, I have finally sat down and watched Federico Fellini’s
La Dolce Vita (1960)
One of the wonderful things about having a passion for films is that there is always another gem that you never got around to seeing. Over 50 years after it was made, I have finally sat down and watched Federico Fellini’s
Werckmeister Harmonies (2000)
The opening scene of Werckmeister Harmonies must be one of the most engaging and wonderful ever made. This apparent setting of the tone and the way subsequent events unfold make us very grateful we knew nothing about this film before
Werckmeister Harmonies (2000)
The opening scene of Werckmeister Harmonies must be one of the most engaging and wonderful ever made. This apparent setting of the tone and the way subsequent events unfold make us very grateful we knew nothing about this film before
City of God (2002)
A masterpiece from Brazil, 2002′s City of God follows a group of youths growing up in a crime-ridden slum outside Rio de Janeiro. This film is shocking, thrilling, frightening and humorous. The incredible cinematography, gripping story and wonderful characters will keep you
City of God (2002)
A masterpiece from Brazil, 2002′s City of God follows a group of youths growing up in a crime-ridden slum outside Rio de Janeiro. This film is shocking, thrilling, frightening and humorous. The incredible cinematography, gripping story and wonderful characters will keep you
I Killed My Mother (2009)
I Killed My Mother received an eight-minute standing ovation when it was shown at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, where it won three awards. It is the assured debut of then 19-year-old Canadian director, Xavier Dolan. Dolan wrote I Killed My Mother when he was
I Killed My Mother (2009)
I Killed My Mother received an eight-minute standing ovation when it was shown at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival, where it won three awards. It is the assured debut of then 19-year-old Canadian director, Xavier Dolan. Dolan wrote I Killed My Mother when he was
Amores Perros (2000)
Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu’s uncompromisingly hard-hitting debut feature is an astounding drama thriller. It’s disturbing imagery, brilliantly choreographed and filmed, shocks. With his vivid characters and stories – all based loosely on fact – Iñárritu shows us a dark yet realistic
Amores Perros (2000)
Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu’s uncompromisingly hard-hitting debut feature is an astounding drama thriller. It’s disturbing imagery, brilliantly choreographed and filmed, shocks. With his vivid characters and stories – all based loosely on fact – Iñárritu shows us a dark yet realistic
Caché (2005)
Michael Haneke’s gripping, multi-layered French thriller Caché a.k.a. Hidden commands the viewer’s attention from beginning to end. This writer/director does not eagerly feed answers to his audiences. He relies instead on their intelligence, something severely bereft in most films in the same genre. Haneke likes
Caché (2005)
Michael Haneke’s gripping, multi-layered French thriller Caché a.k.a. Hidden commands the viewer’s attention from beginning to end. This writer/director does not eagerly feed answers to his audiences. He relies instead on their intelligence, something severely bereft in most films in the same genre. Haneke likes
Let the Right One In (2008)
Tomas Alfredson’s amazing Swedish film cannot be pigeonholed into a single genre. It is not horror nor fantasy, although the film contains elements of both. Most of all, this is a dramatic and unconventional love story between two children. But
Let the Right One In (2008)
Tomas Alfredson’s amazing Swedish film cannot be pigeonholed into a single genre. It is not horror nor fantasy, although the film contains elements of both. Most of all, this is a dramatic and unconventional love story between two children. But
Run Lola Run (1998)
This is a hugely entertaining, humorous and exhaustingly-paced German thriller from writer/director Tom Tykwer, starring Franka Potente – of The Bourne film series fame. The innovative visual style using several different filming techniques, the palpable sense of urgency, the pulsating techno score
Run Lola Run (1998)
This is a hugely entertaining, humorous and exhaustingly-paced German thriller from writer/director Tom Tykwer, starring Franka Potente – of The Bourne film series fame. The innovative visual style using several different filming techniques, the palpable sense of urgency, the pulsating techno score
The Intouchables (2011)
The Intouchables has been a massive hit, taking over $336 million at the box office in its first 6 months. It is a brilliantly funny and tender tale brought to the screen magnificently by its two main actors, Omar Sy and François Cluzet,
The Intouchables (2011)
The Intouchables has been a massive hit, taking over $336 million at the box office in its first 6 months. It is a brilliantly funny and tender tale brought to the screen magnificently by its two main actors, Omar Sy and François Cluzet,
The Lives of Others (2006)
Winner of the 79th Best Foreign Film Oscar, The Lives of Others is an outstanding psychological and political thriller set in East Berlin in 1984. The whole cast is excellent. Newcomers to German film will be floored by Ulrich Mühe (who
The Lives of Others (2006)
Winner of the 79th Best Foreign Film Oscar, The Lives of Others is an outstanding psychological and political thriller set in East Berlin in 1984. The whole cast is excellent. Newcomers to German film will be floored by Ulrich Mühe (who
Headhunters (2011)
Morten Tyldum’s highly entertaining Norwegian action thriller does have a couple of scenes that you will need to take with a pinch of salt. If you don’t mind that, then you’re in for a treat. With a cool script based on Jo Nesbø’s
Headhunters (2011)
Morten Tyldum’s highly entertaining Norwegian action thriller does have a couple of scenes that you will need to take with a pinch of salt. If you don’t mind that, then you’re in for a treat. With a cool script based on Jo Nesbø’s
Man Bites Dog (1992)
This controversial Belgian comedy drama is a sometimes shockingly violent yet effective satire on the complicity and often culpability of the media in our desensitisation to violence. One of the blackest comedies you’ll ever see, “Man Bites Dog” will have you laughing at scenes
Man Bites Dog (1992)
This controversial Belgian comedy drama is a sometimes shockingly violent yet effective satire on the complicity and often culpability of the media in our desensitisation to violence. One of the blackest comedies you’ll ever see, “Man Bites Dog” will have you laughing at scenes
La Haine (1995)
Mathieu Kassovitz’s La Haine a.k.a. Hate follows three immigrant friends – a Jew, an African and an Arab – who live in a poor district on Paris’ outskirts. The central theme of the film is the social marginalisation of such people and
La Haine (1995)
Mathieu Kassovitz’s La Haine a.k.a. Hate follows three immigrant friends – a Jew, an African and an Arab – who live in a poor district on Paris’ outskirts. The central theme of the film is the social marginalisation of such people and
Seven Samurai (1954)
Renowned as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made, Seven Samurai is set in 16th century Japan where bandits roam the countryside, ransacking farmers villages and killing or kidnapping their inhabitants. Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece is not only
Seven Samurai (1954)
Renowned as one of the greatest and most influential films ever made, Seven Samurai is set in 16th century Japan where bandits roam the countryside, ransacking farmers villages and killing or kidnapping their inhabitants. Akira Kurosawa’s masterpiece is not only
Nikita (1990)
Luc Besson’s stylish French action thriller stars Anne Parillaud in an intense performance with great supporting roles played by Marc Duret, Patrick Fontana and Jean Reno. The sharp script, exciting action scenes and complexly layered characters all go towards creating a
Nikita (1990)
Luc Besson’s stylish French action thriller stars Anne Parillaud in an intense performance with great supporting roles played by Marc Duret, Patrick Fontana and Jean Reno. The sharp script, exciting action scenes and complexly layered characters all go towards creating a
Cell 211 (2009)
Winner of eight Goya Awards, Cell 211 is a thrilling, high-tension drama revolving around a prison, its inmates and guards, and the events that take place on a particular day. Daniel Monzón directs this superb Spanish film using a cast
Cell 211 (2009)
Winner of eight Goya Awards, Cell 211 is a thrilling, high-tension drama revolving around a prison, its inmates and guards, and the events that take place on a particular day. Daniel Monzón directs this superb Spanish film using a cast
101 Reykjavík (2000)
Baltasar Kormákur’s debut feature, based on Hallgrímur Helgason’s novel, is an Icelandic comedy about a slacker called Hlynur who lives with his mother and permanently on the dole. Hlynur’s whole life consists of watching porn, getting drunk in the local pub and
101 Reykjavík (2000)
Baltasar Kormákur’s debut feature, based on Hallgrímur Helgason’s novel, is an Icelandic comedy about a slacker called Hlynur who lives with his mother and permanently on the dole. Hlynur’s whole life consists of watching porn, getting drunk in the local pub and
Thesis (1996)
Alejandro Amenábar’s superb debut is a Spanish psychological thriller about a university student working on a thesis about violence in the media. As she researches material, she uncovers a lot more than she bargained for. Thesis was nominated for eight prizes at the 1997
Thesis (1996)
Alejandro Amenábar’s superb debut is a Spanish psychological thriller about a university student working on a thesis about violence in the media. As she researches material, she uncovers a lot more than she bargained for. Thesis was nominated for eight prizes at the 1997
Amélie (2001)
Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s beautiful and fantastical romantic comedy is about a sweet girl who devises extraordinary ways of bringing cheer to the needful and happiness to herself. The film is an absolute joy to watch, warming your heart and making you
Amélie (2001)
Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s beautiful and fantastical romantic comedy is about a sweet girl who devises extraordinary ways of bringing cheer to the needful and happiness to herself. The film is an absolute joy to watch, warming your heart and making you
Nine Queens (2000)
Nothing is as it seems in Fabián Bielinsky’s fabulous Argentinian crime thriller, Nine Queens. This award-winning film, set in the world of con men and thieves in Buenos Aires, follows a couple of grifters as they go about their daily lives of
Nine Queens (2000)
Nothing is as it seems in Fabián Bielinsky’s fabulous Argentinian crime thriller, Nine Queens. This award-winning film, set in the world of con men and thieves in Buenos Aires, follows a couple of grifters as they go about their daily lives of
Memories of Murder (2003)
Based on a true case involving the murders of several women between 1986-91 in provincial South Korea, Memories of Murder follows the investigation by the local police force. Bong Joon-Ho’s remarkable film, marked by incongruous comedy, takes us beyond the details
Memories of Murder (2003)
Based on a true case involving the murders of several women between 1986-91 in provincial South Korea, Memories of Murder follows the investigation by the local police force. Bong Joon-Ho’s remarkable film, marked by incongruous comedy, takes us beyond the details
The Clone Returns Home (2008)
Kanji Nakajima’s The Clone Returns Home is a superbly crafted and touching science fiction film. It comprises an involving human story coupled to the exploration of interesting scientific ideas, technological, ethical and philosophical. The film, reminiscent of Tarkovsky’s work, is shot
The Clone Returns Home (2008)
Kanji Nakajima’s The Clone Returns Home is a superbly crafted and touching science fiction film. It comprises an involving human story coupled to the exploration of interesting scientific ideas, technological, ethical and philosophical. The film, reminiscent of Tarkovsky’s work, is shot
Le Trou (1960)
Jacques Becker’s masterpiece Le Trou a.k.a. The Hole is one of cinema’s greatest prison films. Becker retells this real-life story with uncompromising realism, forcing us to share in the protagonists’ physical and mental anguish. Le Trou’s gritty edge is further accentuated by
Le Trou (1960)
Jacques Becker’s masterpiece Le Trou a.k.a. The Hole is one of cinema’s greatest prison films. Becker retells this real-life story with uncompromising realism, forcing us to share in the protagonists’ physical and mental anguish. Le Trou’s gritty edge is further accentuated by
Funny Games (1997)
This superbly acted and paced Austrian film is out to prove that us moviegoers have yet to become so accustomed to cinema violence that we have lost our capacity for horror and empathy. Funny Games is extreme without directly showing much
Funny Games (1997)
This superbly acted and paced Austrian film is out to prove that us moviegoers have yet to become so accustomed to cinema violence that we have lost our capacity for horror and empathy. Funny Games is extreme without directly showing much
Hot Topic: Good Horror Films?
Good Horror Films Which are your favourite horror films? Below is a list of horror films we thought were effective. Our choices are bound to differ from yours. Add your favourite horror films in the comments and tell us why we must
Hot Topic: Good Horror Films?
Good Horror Films Which are your favourite horror films? Below is a list of horror films we thought were effective. Our choices are bound to differ from yours. Add your favourite horror films in the comments and tell us why we must
